How to Get a Family Visa in Oman

Written by: Shuja Ahmad

Oman Immigration & Family Visa Specialist

Last Updated: February 2026

Based on the Royal Oman Police (ROP) and the Ministry of Manpower’s current procedures

This guide covers the Oman family joining visa (dependent residence visa) for expatriate workers sponsoring spouses, children, and parents. This is NOT a short-term visit visa.

Quick Facts: Oman Family Visa Requirements

Who Can Sponsor:

Expatriate workers with valid residence permits
Minimum salary: OMR 600-650/month
Registered housing required

Who Can Be Sponsored:

Spouse (legally married)
Children: Sons until age 21, daughters until marriage
Parents (higher salary required)

Processing Time: 2-6 weeks from submission

Total Cost Per Person:

Visa (2 years): OMR 30
Medical: OMR 30
Residence card: OMR 10-15
Insurance: OMR 40-60/year
First year total: OMR 110-135

Key Documents:

Sponsor: passport, residence permit, salary certificate, housing contract
Family: passport, attested certificates, medical clearance, police clearance (18+)

Understanding the Oman Family Visa (Family Joining Visa)

The Oman family visa allows expatriates holding work permits to sponsor their immediate family for legal residence. Processed through the Royal Oman Police (ROP), it provides:

Legal residency tied to the sponsor’s permit
Healthcare access
School enrollment for children
Banking and driver’s license rights

Important: This guide covers RESIDENCE visas for long-term stay. Short-term visit visas (1-3 months) are different—see Family Visit Visa section at the end.

Oman Family Visa Requirements 2026

Sponsor Requirements

Employment:

Valid residence permit (minimum 6 months remaining)
Employment with a registered Omani company
Clean immigration record

Minimum Salary for Family Visa in Oman 2025-2026:

General minimum: OMR 600-650/month (spouse + 2 children)
Professional roles: OMR 800-1,000/month
Parent sponsorship: OMR 1,500+/month

Note: Requirements updated annually. Verify the current threshold with the employer or ROP.

Housing:

Registered tenancy with the municipality
Space meeting standards
Housing suitability certificate (some municipalities)

Financial Documents:

Salary certificates (3-6 months)
Bank statements showing deposits
Employment letter on letterhead

Family Member Eligibility

Spouse Visa Oman:

Legally married (both genders can sponsor)
Attested marriage certificate
No age restrictions

Children:

Sons until age 21
Daughters until marriage
Birth certificates required

Parents:

High-earning sponsors (OMR 1,500+ typical)
Case-by-case ROP evaluation
Age and health factors are considered

Oman Family Visa Documents Required

From Sponsor (Worker)

Personal:

Passport copy (full pages)
Residence permit copy
Passport photos (6)

Employment:

Contract or employer NOC
Salary certificate (3-6 months) on letterhead
Bank statements (3-6 months)
Commercial registration (self-employed)

Housing:

Registered tenancy agreement OR property certificate
Housing suitability certificate (if required)

From Family Members

For Spouse:

Valid passport (6+ months validity)
Attested marriage certificate
Passport photos (6)
Police clearance (if 18+)
Medical certificate

For Children:

Valid passport
Attested birth certificate
Photos (4)
Medical certificate
Police clearance (if 18+)

For Parents:

Passport
Relationship proof
Police clearance
Medical certificate
Additional sponsor financials

Document Attestation

Marriage/birth certificates needed:

Home country Foreign Ministry authentication
Omani embassy attestation
Oman MOFA (if required)

Time: 2-4 weeks | Cost: OMR 20-50/document

How to Apply for a Family Visa in Oman: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

Confirm the minimum salary with the employer. Start document attestation immediately—this takes the longest.

Step 2: Medical Examination

ROP-approved facilities required. Tests include blood work, a chest X-ray, and a health assessment.

Cost: OMR 30/person

Validity: 3-6 months

Where: Approved centers in the home country or Oman

Step 3: Submit Application

Via:

ROP eVisa portal (evisa.rop.gov.om)
ROP service centers
Through employer

Fee: OMR 30/person (2-year visa)

Step 4: Processing

ROP coordinates with:

Ministry of Manpower (salary verification)
Ministry of Health (medical confirmation)
Municipality (housing if applicable)

Oman Family Visa Processing Time:

Standard: 2-4 weeks
Complex: 4-6 weeks

Track: ROP eVisa portal

Step 5: Approval and Entry

Entry permits issued (validity: 30-60 days).

Family must:

Enter within validity
Complete remaining medical tests
Submit biometrics

Step 6: Residence Cards

After entry, complete biometric registration at ROP.

Fees:

1 year: OMR 5
2 years: OMR 10
3 years: OMR 15

Timeline: 1-2 weeks

Oman Family Visa Price: Complete Cost Breakdown

Per Person – Initial Application

ItemCost (OMR)

Family joining visa (2 years) 30

Medical exam 30

Attestation 20-50

Residence card (2 years) 10

Health insurance (annual) 40-60

First Year Total 130-180

Family of Four Example

Initial costs: OMR 390-540
Annual insurance: OMR 120-180
Total first year: OMR 510-720

Many employers cover application fees, medical costs, and basic insurance (under the Dhamani scheme).

Family Visa Renewal Process in Oman

Renew before expiration (typically matches sponsor’s permit).

Requirements:

Sponsor employed with a valid permit
Salary maintained
Housing suitable
Medical updated (every 2 years)

Timeline: Start 60 days before expiration

Renewal Fees:

Visa: OMR 30/person (2 years)
Medical (if needed): OMR 30
Card: OMR 5-15/person

Processing: 2-4 weeks

Common Reasons Applications Get Delayed or Rejected

Documentation Issues

Name Inconsistencies:

Passport: “Mohammed” vs certificate: “Muhammad.”
Solution: Name correction certificate or affidavit

Incomplete Attestation:

Missing stamps
Solution: Verify the complete chain

Expired Medicals:

Valid only 3-6 months
Solution: Time exams with the application

Salary Mismatches:

Certificate vs bank deposits differ
Solution: Match numbers exactly

Housing Problems

Unregistered Tenancy:

Solution: Register with the municipality (1-2 weeks)

Insufficient Space:

Solution: Check municipality requirements

Financial Issues

Below Minimum:

Solution: Wait for salary increase

Inconsistent Income:

Solution: Provide permanent employment proof

Oman Family Visa for Parents: Special Requirements

Higher Threshold: OMR 1,500+ monthly

Processing: 6-10 weeks

Additional Documents:

Birth certificate showing the relationship
Financial dependence proof
Health assessment
Justification letter

Spouse Visa Oman: Specific Requirements

Both genders can sponsor. Standard salary OMR 600-650. Women may need higher (OMR 800-1,000) in some cases.

Requirements:

Attested marriage certificate
Names matching passports
Employment confirmation

Note: Same-sex spouses are not recognized under the current law.

Benefits of the Oman Family Visa

Healthcare: Access to Ministry of Health facilities, private hospitals, and insurance coverage

Education: Government schools, private schools, international schools (British, American, IB, Indian)

Financial Rights: Bank accounts, credit cards, driver’s licenses, rental agreements

Quality of Life: Political stability, safety, modern infrastructure, low crime, natural beauty, affordable costs vs UAE/Qatar

ROP E Visa Portal Guide

Access: evisa.rop.gov.om

Functions:

Submit applications
Track status
Pay fees online
Download approvals
Renew visas

Steps:

Register with a civil ID
Create password
Select “Family Joining Visa”
Complete forms
Upload documents (PDF)
Pay fees
Track with reference number

Mobile app available for iOS/Android.

Oman Family Visit Visa vs Family Joining Visa

Family Joining (This Guide):

Long-term (2-3 years)
Renewable
Requires salary, housing, and medical
Cost: OMR 130-180/person

Visit Visa:

Short-term (1-3 months)
Non-renewable
Lower requirements
Cost: OMR 20-50

For visit visa details, see the dedicated guide.

Common Salary Questions

No, you’re below minimum. Wait for a raise/promotion to OMR 600-650.

Does housing allowance count toward the minimum?

Yes, the total salary, including allowances, typically counts. Confirm with the employer.

Depends on ROP evaluation. Generally, yes for 1 spouse and 3 children if in a professional role.

Salary in other currency—how to calculate?

ROP uses the OMR equivalent. If paid in USD/EUR, show bank deposit amounts in OMR on the salary certificate.

Tips for Faster Processing

1. Document Checklist Before Submission:

All documents translated to Arabic (if required)
All attestations complete (verify each stamp)
Medical reports valid (check expiry)
Photos meet specifications (white background, size)
Salary certificate, recent (within 30 days)

2. Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Submitting with 3-month-old salary certificates
Using personal email addresses instead of company email
Providing unregistered housing agreements
Missing Arabic translations
Old passport photos (should be recent)

3. Communication with ROP:

Check application status weekly via the portal
Respond immediately to document requests
Keep the reference number accessible
Save all confirmation emails

4. Employer Coordination:

Inform HR early (at least 2 months before)
Request company documentation promptly
Clarify what the company covers vs personal costs
Get written confirmation of sponsorship approval

Medical Examination Details

What Tests Are Required:

HIV test
Hepatitis B and C
Tuberculosis (chest X-ray)
General blood tests
Physical examination

Who Needs Medical:

All family members (no age exemptions)
Repeat every 2 years for renewals

Approved Centers: Check the ROP website for the current list. Not all hospitals/clinics qualify—using an unapproved facility causes rejection.

Results Timeline:

Tests completed in 1-2 days
Results valid 3-6 months
ROP receives directly from approved centers

Rejection Reasons:

Positive infectious disease results may require a Ministry of Health review
Follow-up testing is sometimes allowed
Some conditions may receive temporary permits pending treatment

Housing Requirements Detail

Minimum Space Standards: Varies by municipality, but generally:

Studio/1-bedroom: 1-2 people
2-bedroom: 3-4 people
3-bedroom: 5-6 people

Registration Process:

Sign the tenancy agreement
Submit to the municipality with landlord presence
Pay registration fee (OMR 5-20)
Receive stamped/registered copy (1-2 weeks)

What ROP Checks:

Is tenancy registered?
Does the address match the employer records?
Is space adequate for family size?
Are utilities active?

Shared Accommodations: Sharing with non-family members may cause issues. ROP prefers single-family occupancy for visa purposes.

Role of Professional Consultants

Visa consultants assist with:

Document preparation and attestation coordination
Translation services (Arabic/English)
Portal submission and form completion
ROP communication and follow-up
Rejection problem resolution
Appeal processes, if needed

Typical Costs:

Full service: OMR 50-150 per application
Document attestation only: OMR 30-60
Consultation/advice: OMR 20-40

When to Consider:

Complex cases (parent sponsorship, previous rejections)
Limited time availability
Document issues or uncertainties
Language barriers
First-time applicants unfamiliar with the process

Choosing Consultants:

Verify licensing/registration
Check reviews from other expatriates
Confirm pricing upfront
Ensure they work directly with ROP
Avoid guarantees (no one can guarantee approval)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum salary for a family visa in Oman in 2025?

OMR 600-650/month for spouse and children. Professional roles: OMR 800-1,000. Parents: OMR 1,500+. Confirm the current threshold with the employer.

How long does processing take?

2-4 weeks standard. Attestation adds 2-4 weeks if abroad. Complex cases: up to 6 weeks total.

Yes, with an OMR salary of 1,500+ and ROP approval on a case-by-case basis. Parents must prove financial dependence.

What if I lose my job?

Family visas are tied to your permit. If employment ends, the family must leave or transfer sponsorship within a 30-day grace period.

Can a spouse work on a family visa?

Not directly. Needs a separate work permit from the employer. Many companies hire and sponsor trailing spouses separately.

Total family visa cost?

Per person first year: OMR 130-180. Family of four: OMR 520-720, including insurance.

Do children renew separately?

Yes, each family member has an individual permit requiring renewal, typically synced with the sponsor’s cycle.

Which documents need attestation?

Marriage and birth certificates:
(1) Home Foreign Ministry
(2) Omani embassy
(3) Oman MOFA if required. Passports don’t need attestation.

Conclusion

The Oman family joining visa enables expatriate workers to reunite with their families while building careers in the Gulf. Success requires:

Meeting salary thresholds
Complete attested documentation
Adequate housing
Valid medical clearances
Timely processing

Start document attestation early to prevent delays. Professional consultants can streamline applications for complex cases.

With proper preparation in accordance with ROP requirements, families successfully establish legal residence and enjoy Oman’s high quality of life.

Legal Disclaimer:

This guide is information-based on the February 2026 ROP and Ministry of Manpower procedures. Requirements may change. Verify current regulations through official ROP channels, your employer, or authorized consultants.

About the Author:

Shuja Ahmad specializes in Oman immigration, family visa processing, and residency procedures, helping expatriate families navigate ROP requirements.

For family visa assistance, visit OmanBusinessSetup.com.

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How to Get a Family Visa in Oman